In the Philippines, there is no more beloved holiday than Christmas.
Here, Christmas isn’t merely a celebration, but a significant aspect of Filipino culture that stretches far beyond the date of December 25 –– even beginning as early as September and filling homes, streets, and airwaves with warmth, nostalgia, and music. From brightly lit parols to family reunions and noche buena, the season is defined by traditions that bring people together, no matter where they are in the world.
Yet at the heart of this long and joyful celebration are the Filipinos’ love of music, particularly OPM. Christmas songs in the Philippines have become more than background sounds, for they soundtrack the festive moments, acting as emotional anchors that capture themes of love, faith, longing, and homecoming. Whether played on the radio during rush hour, sung in school programs, played during Christmas parties, or heard during Simbang Gabi gatherings, this genre of songs has a way of instantly transporting Filipinos into the Christmas spirit.
Over the years, countless OPM Christmas songs have become timeless staples, passed down from one generation to the next. Some evoke childlike wonder, others bring a bittersweet sense of nostalgia, while a number of modern ones breathe new life into the genre, yet all (still) reflect the uniquely Filipino way of celebrating the season.
With that being said, Billboard Philippines has rounded up our picks for twelve of the best OPM Christmas songs of all time, highlighting the classics (and modern hits) that continue to define what Christmas sounds like here in the Philippines.
“Maligayang Pasko” – Juan Karlos
As one of the more recent entries on this list, Juan Karlos‘ “Maligayang Pasko” reimagines the Filipino holiday jingle as if we’re rocking around the Christmas tree. Despite being his first-ever holiday single, the track infuses the spirit of the season with driving guitar, rhythmic intensity, and Juan Karlos’ emotive vocals — even bringing a fresh, energetic edge to traditional Yuletide themes. For instead of leaning solely on nostalgia, the song blends the celebratory warmth of Christmas with the gritty authenticity that has made Juan Karlos’ music resonant with millions of listeners nationwide.
“Pasko Ng Sinta Ko” – Gary Valenciano
Only a few Christmas songs can articulate romantic yearning with the elegance and restraint of “Pasko Ng Sinta Ko.” Gary Valenciano’s rendition of the beloved holiday track transforms the song into a masterclass in emotional control, where longing simmers beneath polished melodies and lush orchestration. The track endures over time because it understands Christmas not just as a celebration, but as a season that amplifies desire and memory — especially in the face of loneliness. Yet even four decades on, it remains a staple not out of nostalgia alone, but because its sentiment — wanting love to feel complete during the holidays — never fades.
“SMP (Samahan Ng Malalamig Ang Pasko)” – dwta
With sharp wit and understated melancholy, dwta’s “SMP (Samahan Ng Malalamig Ang Pasko)” lends a voice to a demographic long ignored by traditional Christmas playlists: the ones that are emotionally detached, romantically disillusioned, and quietly coping. Its festive, yet lo-fi production and conversational lyricism reflect the realities of digital-age loneliness, reframing Christmas as something to survive instead of celebrating. The song’s brilliance lies in its refusal to romanticize sadness, instead presenting it quite plainly and almost humorously. In doing so, “SMP” becomes a cultural document of how a younger generation of Filipinos experiences the holidays today.
“Season Of Smiles” – The Itchyworms
“Season Of Smiles” operates on the theme of nostalgia without feeling dated, channeling the warmth of classic pop-rock Christmas songs through The Itchyworms’ melodic sensibility. The band perfectly captures the communal joy of the season — the type you usually see in family reunions, through shared laughter and fleeting moments of peace — all without the use of excess sentimentality. But beyond its display of boundless joy, its strength lies in its sincerity, offering optimism that feels earned and not artificially manufactured. As a modern OPM Christmas staple, their rerecorded rendition of their 2007 hit continues to bridge generations, reminding listeners why simple happiness remains to be the season’s most powerful currency.
“Ligaya” – SB19
As one of just a few Christmas tracks in the P-pop canon, SB19‘s “Ligaya” reframes the season of Christmas as an emotional reset, pairing contemporary pop production with a message that is firmly rooted in Filipino values of joy and unity. The song radiates warmth without relying on overt sentimentality or spectacle, allowing its melodic hooks and earnest lyricism to carry its impact. Because in a genre often driven by maximalism, “Ligaya” stands out for its choice of emotional clarity over excess — thereby solidifying SB19’s ability to translate the spirit of the season into a sound that resonates across age groups and musical tastes.
“Miss Kita Kung Christmas” – Sharon Cuneta
There’s a strong reason as to why Sharon Cuneta’s “Miss Kita Kung Christmas” continues to resurface year after year: it understands heartbreak as an integral part of the holiday experience. Cuneta’s emotive, if lovelorn, vocal performance elevates the song beyond melodrama, delivering longing with melodic grace and quiet devastation. Despite the festive horns and twinkling synth keys, the track captures the ache of separation during a season built around presence, making it painfully relatable to many Filipinos across generations. Arguably, its endurance lies in its honesty — because Christmas, as it reminds us, can magnify absence just as much as it does the warmth of love.
“Sana Ngayong Pasko” – Ariel Rivera
Across its many covers and renditions over the years, “Sana Ngayong Pasko” feels less like a Christmas song and more like a poignant anthem rooted in yearning and heartfelt introspection. Ariel Rivera’s take on the song features his emotive delivery that turns what could be a conventional yuletide tune into a testament to longing and hope, capturing the emotional tension between absence and desire that many listeners feel during the season. What makes Rivera’s version stand out is his ability to let Jimmy Borja’s lyrics to breathe and resonate even deeper with audiences — adding more emotional weight to what is already recognized as a touching track for the holiday season.
“Bibingka” – Ben&Ben
Ben&Ben’s “Bibingka” is rich with sensory detail, evoking the smell of rice cakes, the glow of church lights, and the quiet intimacy of Simbang Gabi (midnight mass) from one listen alone. The band’s signature folk-pop sound pairs seamlessly with lyrics steeped in classic Filipino traditions, turning the song into a warm love letter to communal memory. It succeeds not by reinventing Christmas music, but by grounding it firmly in our place and culture. It’s undeniable that “Bibingka” feels lived-in, nostalgic in its essence without being sentimental, and still deeply Filipino at its core.
“Christmas Morning” – Eraserheads
As one of several overlooked tracks off the Eraserheads‘ misunderstood concept album Fruitcake, “Christmas Morning” strips the holiday down to its emotional skeleton, offering a subdued and introspective alternative to conventional cheer. True to the Eraserheads’ ethos, the song finds meaning in holding back, allowing quiet reflection and vivid storytelling to take center stage as it perfectly captures the stillness of Christmas Day (especially the moments well after the noise has faded). While both clarity and melancholy exists within the track, there remains a sense of hopefulness that is reflective of the Filipino spirit — with its cult status stemming from this honesty, proving that Christmas songs can be contemplative without losing their resonance.
“Kumukutikutitap” – Joey Albert
Joey Albert’s rendition of “Kumukutikutitap” transforms a simple, light-filled song into a tender meditation on wonder and affection. Her smooth jazz-inflected vocals are what lend sophistication to a track rooted in childlike imagery, bridging the gap between innocence and maturity. Even after all these years, the song still glows with subtlety, relying on mood rather than spectacle — retaining its status as a beloved holiday favorite because it vividly captures the magic of Christmas lights as metaphors for love, warmth, and fleeting beauty. Because no matter where you’d hear the song, it firmly brings you back into the holiday spirit.
“Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko” – APO Hiking Society
At this point, its an undisputed fact that APO Hiking Society’s “Tuloy Na Tuloy Pa Rin Ang Pasko” stands as one of the most resilient Christmas anthems in OPM history. Originally written and composed during a period of national hardship, the song asserts joy as an act of defiance rather than denial, utilizing its upbeat melody as a contrast against its deeper message: one that states how celebration can persist even amid uncertainty. Even all these decades later, this Christmas classic continues to resonate amidst both the joyful and turbulent times, offering reassurance that the spirit of Christmas endures through collective hope.
“Christmas In Our Hearts” – Jose Mari Chan
No other OPM Christmas song has achieved the cultural omnipresence of Jose Mari Chan‘s “Christmas In Our Hearts.” The beloved musical icon’s composition transcends genre and generation, functioning as both seasonal soundtrack and emotional shorthand for the spirit of Filipino Christmas itself. Its message — centered on love, generosity, and togetherness — remains disarmingly sincere, untouched by irony and unspoiled from the horrors of the world. The song’s enduring power lies in its ability to feel personal even when heard (and played!) everywhere, a rare feat that cements its legacy as the definitive Filipino Christmas anthem. Even hearing its opening notes alone instantly signals the start of the season, which makes it well deserving of the title as the best OPM Christmas song of all time.